U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California issued a press release with details about an Oakland man sentenced to five years in federal prison for robbing two East Bay banks.
"An Oakland man was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for bank robbery. U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar handed down the sentence.
Naikano Tuipulotu, 32, was charged by complaint on Feb. 7, 2024, and pleaded guilty on Feb. 28, 2025, to two counts of bank robbery.
Not even a week since HCSO and Vinelink was fixed and the system is down again. Again, over the weekend. Elevator still out at the Courthouse. This during busy jury trial season.
Another week with no Board of Supervisor meetings after they had time off for the December holidays. They should get paid like Eureka City Council instead of the thousands they get paid a year.
Once again ,you heard it here first.
The two judicial candidates for the Courtroom 6 vacant seat, Humboldt Commissioner Sarah Kaber and Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson know about this development.
I had already reached out and contacted Humboldt Registrar, Clerk, Registrar of Voters about this seat and in his response to me, he confirmed this latest, last minute development.
"Given your coverage of the Judicial race, I wanted to reach out and let you know that Judge Hinrichs' vacated seat will not be on the ballot this year. "
"The Governor’s Office reached out and informed us that the Governor will use their appointing authority to temporarily fill the vacancy. The seat will then be up for election at the November 2028 General Election, when voters will select a judge to serve a full term."
In June, Izzy Gardon, Governor Newsom's Director of Communications himself responded to my inquiry about the appointment of the seat. I have reached out to Mr. Gardon and Governor Newsom's Press Office and will follow up Monday.
I just did a post two days ago on Commissioner Kaber filing form 410.
I have written for years and months about this vacant seat and possibilities and information not reported elsewhere. I am going to wait until the appointment is announced.
As you can see from the candidate calendar from Humboldt County elections, this is breaking news.
I did two posts this month on Humboldt Deputy District Attorney's petition to have convicted felon Justin Patrick declared a sexually violent predator.
There is background and court documents in the previous post and court minutes in this post with more details about Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson's ruling.
Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California released this photo and information about Alexander Soofer, executive director of Abundant Blessings who was arrested this morning on federal charge of wire fraud. The alleged fraud is using funds for homelesson luxuries for himself including purchase of a home. He has a court appearance this afternoon.
People like Sofer make it harder on organizations who are doing good work and the backlash will hurt legitimate organizations all over California, including rural Humboldt.
Gav's press office tweet makes it worse. Essayli 1 Gav 0
Convicted sex offender and felon Andrew Allen Tuttle was arrested today by Eureka Police Department and booked for PC 290.011 (a) failure to register as a sex offender, PC 290.013 (a) failure to register as a sex offender, PC 25850 (c) (1) carrying a loaded firearm by a convicted felon, PC25850 (c) (6) carrying a loaded firearm and not being the registered owner, PC 30305 (a) felon in possession of ammunition, PC 29800 (a) felon in possession of a firearm, PC 21810 possession of brass knuckles, HS 11370.1 (a) possession of a controlled substance while armed , HS 11364 (a) paraphernalia and HS 11350 (a) possession of a controlled substance.
Megan's Law shows him in violation.
For new Facebook page readers. Regular readers know that with the number of court cases I report on & follow regularly, I do not waste your time with a new post on reshuffling of dates, the 10th or 11th continuance but add updates to previous posts.
I do other news and national coverage. If there is a significant development, I will post on a court case. Regular readers also know I post, scoop here first and not just on court. I do in person reporting, research and original content daily.
For months, I check 10, 20 plus court cases a day; some of them multiple times a week. I still update and keep track of them whether you see a post or not. Continuances have been the norm for months and will continue with Humboldt Superior Court. I take the time to find you new, original content because I am not the only one in Humboldt bored with the nth repeat offender, cases being continued for years and reading about crimes.
For free, you can check the search feature on the blog for any case or you can subscribe for individual updates.
Three arrested for protesting, interrupting church service at St. Paul's church.
True North Legal represents Cities Church in St. Paul and issued the following statements in response to the United States Department of Justice arresting persons involved in the invasion of Cities Church.
"True North Legal attorneys Renee Carlson and Doug Wardlow were retained following the January 18 disruption of a church worship service by a group of activists, which included a former CNN television host and a member of the St. Paul School Board." --True North website.
According to Fox9 St., Armstrong & Allen were granted release by a magistrate judge but prosecutors have appealed the decision to a district court judge.
Cecelia Theresiaio Robbins was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday for PC664/187(a) attempted murder and PC 211 robbery.
20 search results for Robbins in Humboldt Superior Court; two are family law cases; the rest are criminal and traffic. There are five duplicate entries in the list.
Jeannette Margaret Barnard was booked into the Humboldt County jail yesterday on an arrest warrant in a 2025 co-defendant case for PC 236 false imprisonment, two counts of PC 487 (a) grand theft and PC 459/461(b) burglary. She posted bond.
11 search results for Barnard in Humboldt Superior Court which includes the 2025 co-defendant case. The other suspect in that 2025 case is Jeffrey Scott Batemon.
The California Commission on Judicial Performance issued a press release yesterday about instituting "formal proceedings to inquire into matters concerning Judge Robert S. Draper of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles."
A copy of the Notice of Formal Proceedings is posted on the commission’s website. Judge Draper’s Answer to the Notice is due February 3, 2026. Judge Draper is represented by Attorney Paige L. Adamczyk of Burbank.
The Notice of Formal Proceedings was filed on January 14, 2026.
The conduct alleged is from 2012 to the present." By the following allegations, you are charged with willful misconduct in office, persistent failure or inability to perform your duties, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, and improper action, within the meaning of article VI, section 18 of the California Constitution, which provides for the removal, censure, public admonishment, or private admonishment of a judge or former judge."
Commenting on race and gender, inappropriate remarks about a female witness or attorney, sharing inappropriate images on the court email system, improper ex parte communication, bringing a man from the street Judge Draper did not know into chambers and asking court staff to find a place for him at night are just some of the issues raised in the notice.
Another former California Governor Jerry Brown appointee.
Both Humboldt County Fourth District Supervisor and incumbent Natalie Arroyo and Fifth District Supervisor candidate Mary Burke have filed their 460s.
On a quick glance, Richard Salzman and Eureka Councilmember Scott Bauer are the two names from Humboldt County who most will recognize among Supervisor Arroyo's donors.
Assemblymember Damon Connolly has donated to both.
The forms are online on the Humboldt County Elections site. You can look at them in detail there.
Humboldt Superior Court Commissioner Sarah Kaber makes her campaign official with the filing of her 410 form.
This is for the vacant position in the June 2026 election for Retired Commissioner Judge Joyce Hinrichs seat.
I am waiting to hear back from elections if Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson who submitted signatures in lieu of the filing fee has even qualified as a xandidate.
On January 23, Christina Strevey, Administrative Analyst for Humboldt County Office of Elections sent me the following response.
"As of today we are still in Sigs in Lieu period of filing. Both Sarah Kaber and Jessica Watson have filed SIL papers for the Department 6 Superior Court Judge. The time period for the judges to file the Judicial Declaration of Intent is January 26 to February 4."
I have done several posts on the 2026 elections and Humboldt candidates for judges, County Board of Supervisors and Eureka City Council.
Most of my readers check me daily and have read prior coverage. You can access these posts for free via the search feature or you can advertise, subscribe or contribute for links and other extra benefits and conveniences.
Peggy Murphy, started as the new Director of Humboldt County’s Economic Development Division this week.
The Humboldt County Administrative Office just issued a press release with this photo.
I was the first one to report on both these cases CV2401803 Jessica Sprague vs Commerce Enterprises. This is the civil case against convicted Maria Cuevas as well as Ms. Jennifer Dixon's lawsuit against Commerce Enterprises CV2500534. On 1/16/26, there was a hearing on the motion. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Timothy Canning has taken the matter under submission.
I was the only one to regularly cover in detail Cuevas' criminal case and conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter and both these civil cases.
There is a hearing scheduled on 1/23 on a motion for protective order filed by Commerce Enterprise. Trial setting is scheduled on 6/5/26.
I have included court minutes from 1/16/26 and Commerce Enterprise's motion and Janssen Malloy's Mr. William Stein's notice of change in authority.
Mr. Stein represents Jessica Sprague. Ms. Heidi Holmquist represents Jennifer Dixon. Commerce Enterprises is represented by Murphy, Pearson, Bradley and Feeney.
Who will prevail in Eureka lawyers vs San Francisco law firm?
I have covered Lila Ortega over the years. This post is on the resolution of her Blue Ox theft case.
1/20/26 CR2402403 Lila Ortega
guilty plea to Count 2 petty theft, dismissal of Count 1 & sentenced by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran to 1 year probation, stay away from Blue Ox, court minutes state Ortega is to be booked and released on or before 1/30/26 but no jail time imposed
Deputy DA Andy Truitt, Conflict Counsel Meagan O'Connell
I have provided links to previous coverage on the Blue Ox case and her most recent arrest.
It is not just Minnesota, Homeland Security released this statement about California calling out Governor Gavin Newsom.
"At 7:05AM PST, DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Compton, California, to arrest a violent criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, William Eduardo Moran Carballo, who is involved in a human smuggling operation and has two prior arrests for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal in 2019.
In a dangerous attempt to evade arrest, this criminal illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and rammed law enforcement. Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired defensive shots. The criminal illegal alien was not hit and attempted to flee on foot. He was successfully apprehended by law enforcement. The illegal alien was not injured, but a CBP officer was injured.
These dangerous attempts to evade arrest have surged since sanctuary politicians, including Governor Newsom, have encouraged illegal aliens to evade arrest and provided guides advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest. Our officers are now facing a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks.
This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming."
